360 Fall Update Confirmed for Dec 4th.

[erwos]

I'm a little annoyed that they turned it on by default, but I can see why they would - if people had to turn it on manually, practically no one would have it on. I'll probably leave it on for the time being.

 

[Modeps]

New Info leaked by Japan:

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11...s-spilled-by-ms-japan/

# Top level of "marketplace" has been reorganized and reduced to four categories: "Recommended Content," "What's New," "Game Store," and "Video Store" (below top level, categories will be navigated by twist, just like the Game Library)
# "Personal Profile" added to Gamer Profile; text field allowing approx. 500-1000 characters, providing space to publish name, nationality, region, and self introduction. (Further social networking tools to accompany 'Friends of Friends' functionality)
# XBLA demos deleted from "Played Games" and Gamercard lists

I cant picture number 1 very well, I'll have to see it... but 2 and 3 sound good to me. I hate how XBLA demos appear in my played list.

Also, please note THIS ISNT THE FULL FEATURE LIST.

 

[Queasy]

NO WAI! I can't believe that is the HUGE announcement from M$! That's rediculous!

/sarcasm

Note: This feature set is by no means complete, and we should expect to see variations in and additions to the North American update, which will be made available on Dec. 4th.

 

[Modeps]

Oh, looks like BC is updated today:
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/50082

Not sure I see anything big in their list, but whateve

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Modeps
Oh, looks like BC is updated today:
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/50082

Not sure I see anything big in their list, but whateve

Highlights (ones that stand out to me at least):
Armed and Dangerous
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance
Blinx: The Timesweeper
ESPN NFL 2k5 - People have been asking for this
Hunter: The Reckoning

Might want to make the BC update a seperate post.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Might want to make the BC update a seperate post.

You're the 360 news guy, I'll leave that to you

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Modeps
New Info leaked by Japan:

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11...s-spilled-by-ms-japan/

# Top level of "marketplace" has been reorganized and reduced to four categories: "Recommended Content," "What's New," "Game Store," and "Video Store" (below top level, categories will be navigated by twist, just like the Game Library)
# "Personal Profile" added to Gamer Profile; text field allowing approx. 500-1000 characters, providing space to publish name, nationality, region, and self introduction. (Further social networking tools to accompany 'Friends of Friends' functionality)
# XBLA demos deleted from "Played Games" and Gamercard lists

I cant picture number 1 very well, I'll have to see it... but 2 and 3 sound good to me. I hate how XBLA demos appear in my played list.

Also, please note THIS ISNT THE FULL FEATURE LIST.

They refer to it as the "twist" interface, which is what they call their Zune interface, if you've ever seen it. I wonder if that's what they mean?

And thank the lord for removing XBLA demos from the "Played Games" list. That's always been an annoyance.

 

[Yreka]

So no Divx again eh ?

*Or is it too early to tell?*

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Yreka
So no Divx again eh ?

*Or is it too early to tell?*

Note: This feature set is by no means complete, and we should expect to see variations in and additions to the North American update, which will be made available on Dec. 4th.

 

[tatteredpotato]

If I remember correctly, the H.264 support was so unpublicized that it was almost like MS was trying to keep it a secret. Seeing as MS downplays codec support, they probably won't trumpet it as a key new feature.

 

[raystorm]

Taking out XBLA demos off your played games list is a nice thing that should have been done a long time ago. I want a separate blade for xbla games since I have a bunch of them. I don't care for that friends list being public stuff. I'm sure we'll see a few whoppers from those personal profiles.


I'm a little wary of the updates since my second 360 (I'm on my third) crapped out a half hour after the last big update. I'm sure it was just a coincidence. ....yea..

 

[warcrow]

Here is the official press release that got released today:

As promised, Microsoft is bringing some early gifts to your Xbox 360 just prior to the holiday season. Beginning at 0200 a.m. PST on Dec. 4, the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update will be available for all connected Xbox 360 consoles free of charge, bringing an array of new features and enhancements to the leading gaming and entertainment system.



Among the key new enhancements are the previously announced Xbox Originals game download service, Family Timer parental control feature, and expanded social networking experiences. Xbox 360 owners can also look forward to enhanced navigation, profile and video features and Xbox LIVE Arcade Hits.



This free update will be digitally distributed over Xbox LIVE to the more than 8 million Xbox LIVE members worldwide (Xbox LIVE Silver and Gold) with no disc or hard drive required. Gamers without an Xbox LIVE account can easily sign up for the free network by connecting their console to a broadband internet connection. New features and enhancements include:



MORE DOWNLOAD OPTIONS:

Xbox Originals ? With this new service, announced on Nov. 13, consumers can download-to-own full original Xbox games that were previously only available at retail. The digital shelves will always be stocked with classic titles, such as ?Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex? ?Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge,? ?Halo,? ?Fable,? ?Fuzion Frenzy,? ?Psychonauts,? and more as the catalogue grows over time, at 1200 Microsoft Points per game.


· Xbox LIVE Arcade Hits ? On Xbox LIVE Arcade, the Arcade Hits program kicks off where some of the best selling Xbox LIVE Arcade games will become available at permanently reduced prices, making it easier than ever for everyone to build a library of downloadable games! The first games to become Arcade Hits will be ?Bankshot Billiards 2? and ?Lumines LIVE,? which will be available for 800 Microsoft Points each, and ?Marble Blast Ultra,? ?Small Arms? and ?Zuma Deluxe,? which will be available for 400 Microsoft Points each. With free trial downloads for every game and over 100 games to choose from, Xbox LIVE Arcade offers something for every member of the family.



NEW WAYS TO KEEP UP TO DATE AND CONNECTED:

· Inside Xbox ? A new direct feed brings current news straight from Xbox.com into the Xbox LIVE Dashboard providing members an easy, predictable entry point where they can discover what's new in: game releases, events, and Xbox LIVE Marketplace offers.



· Enhanced online profile ? Members interested in sharing a few more details about themselves will have the option to go beyond their motto and further personalize their profile with an expanded bio. The extended bios will be visible to ?Friends Only? or the entire Xbox LIVE community.



· Expanded Friends List access ? A quick and easy way for gamers to expand their personal community on Xbox LIVE, members will be able to see the Friends Lists of other Xbox LIVE members, boosting their social networking experience on the service.



ENHANCED OVERALL EXPERIENCE AND CONTROL:

Enhanced Parental Controls ? Family Timer, a strong and flexible new addition to the Xbox 360 Family Settings, enables parents to set the amount of time their Xbox 360 can be used on a per-day or per-week basis by their children or other members of the household.


New video features ? The convenience of full-screen movie previews and enhanced video codec support further expand the options when it comes to the Xbox 360 entertainment experience.


· Easy-to-use navigation features ? With several noteworthy changes in the Xbox LIVE Dashboard, from the new Game Store button to the Video Store button to enhanced visuals and descriptions in the video library, Xbox LIVE members can find what they want, when they want it.

 

[R Nilla]

According to Joystiq, DivX and Xvid will be supported. Kind of...

There are also some notable updates on the video side. Small update: full-screen previews. Megaton update: MPEG-4 Part 2 video codec support. Specifically, MPEG-4 Part 2 ASP (advanced simple profile) and SP (simple profile) in an AVI container. What does that mean to us humans? Greenberg decodes, "What that basically means is that our users should find that most of their DivX and Xvid files will work because they're under that umbrella of the MPEG-4 Part 2 codec."

But no group chat, clan support, or any other kind of grouping other than the Friends of Friends feature. That's lame.

 

[Saint Nick]

I'm stoaked for the support for DivX/Xvid

 

[Gooberlx2]

Finally...I'm so happy for Divx/Xvid support. Complete with 5.1 audio, which really surprised me (and should please some members who demanded it)! I had faith and they have delivered.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: R Nilla
According to Joystiq, DivX and Xvid will be supported. Kind of...

There are also some notable updates on the video side. Small update: full-screen previews. Megaton update: MPEG-4 Part 2 video codec support. Specifically, MPEG-4 Part 2 ASP (advanced simple profile) and SP (simple profile) in an AVI container. What does that mean to us humans? Greenberg decodes, "What that basically means is that our users should find that most of their DivX and Xvid files will work because they're under that umbrella of the MPEG-4 Part 2 codec."

But no group chat, clan support, or any other kind of grouping other than the Friends of Friends feature. That's lame.

yeah it seems like the only thing they've done that I care about is improving the dash speed. Group chat/clan support would have been great. I don't really watch much video on my 360 so I don't really care about the divx support.

 

[gorcorps]

DivX/Xvid... drool

 

[holden j caufield]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
DivX/Xvid... drool

finally reason to connect my 360 to my PC

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: holden j caufield

Originally posted by: gorcorps
DivX/Xvid... drool

finally reason to connect my 360 to my PC

Definitely. I'm so excited to NOT have to convert the files I want to watch or be stuck on my 17" monitor.

 

[bullbert]

Originally posted by: erwos
I'm a little annoyed that they turned it on by default, but I can see why they would - if people had to turn it on manually, practically no one would have it on. I'll probably leave it on for the time being.

I read where Michael Jackson, just yesterday, bought two XBox 360s. Coincidence?

Another case of parents needing to step in to protect their kids, not just from predators, but also from M$.

OT: I don't know if the second 360 is for Bubbles, or just a backup immediate replacement while the first 360 is in line for refurb after the predestined RROD.

 

[blurredvision]

This is coming out around 2am PST. I want to make sure everyone remembers to update tomorrow while I'm at work so I can make sure it isn't bricking consoles .

 

[Modeps]

Oh dont worry, BV, I'll be downloading it first thing when I wake up in the morning Eastern time.

 

[tatteredpotato]

I think I'm the only one in my group of friends that actually get excited for these updates....

I want it NOW!!!

 

[tatteredpotato]

Apparently there is a bug in the update related to changing the Live ID associated your GT. The problems seem to be mostly Xbox.com related, but I thought a heads up was in order.

We've just been informed via Gamertag Radio and Xbox.com's TriXie that the Fall Update is releasing with a minor bug related to the new Live ID switching feature. Specifically, when you download the Fall Update and change the Live ID you have associated with your gamertag, a bunch of Xbox.com issues arise. Problems including all your Xbox.com forum posts being deleted, your community user level will go bye-bye, your icons will be erased and your gamertag will be replaced with with an "anonymous" name. The Xbox 360 dashboard team is trying their darnedest to get a fix in place and should have a solution available in the next few days. Until then, DO NOT change your Live ID that is associated with your gamertag until a fix is announced. You've been warned.

Link

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
This is coming out around 2am PST. I want to make sure everyone remembers to update tomorrow while I'm at work so I can make sure it isn't bricking consoles .

errr, is that an actual concern? ive never heard of that before...